I am an incoming SA at a mid-BB in London (think Citi/BofA/Barclays) and want to re-recruit into a top BB/EB. I was wondering what the best options were. Should I try for FT recruiting, knowing that there are likely very few positions, or should I declare I intend to do a masters and re-recruit for summers?
I don't mind doing a masters if I do get a SA offer from a top BB/EB.
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Re-recruiting into a top BB/EB from a mid-BB can be a strategic move, but it requires careful planning. Based on the most helpful WSO content, here’s what you need to consider:
Full-Time (FT) Recruiting:
Re-recruiting for Summer Analyst (SA) Positions via a Master’s Program:
Recommendation:
If you’re open to pursuing a master’s and don’t mind the additional time and expense, re-recruiting for SA positions at a top BB/EB through a master’s program is likely your best bet. It provides a structured path into these firms, as SA recruiting is their main hiring channel. On the other hand, if you’re confident in your ability to network and secure one of the few FT positions, you can attempt FT recruiting while completing your SA stint.
Ultimately, your decision should align with your long-term goals and willingness to invest in further education.
Sources: How to Navigate FT Recruiting: Learn from My Successes/Failures, https://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forum/investment-banking/m7-ib-associate-full-time-recruiting?customgpt=1, Firms Still Recruiting for 2020 Full-Time Analysts, My FT Recruiting Process, Advice for summer and return offer rate?
Focus on getting a return offer first
LOL, focus on getting return offer. People from Citi go to MF - when that time comes it’s your performance that matters not the name of the firm
Any advice if you dont have a return?
Are you a penultimate or final year? Looks like you're a final year but unclear.
I'm final year, but happy to do a masters to leverage for top BB/EB if necessary
your fucked if you dont get an offer hahahahaha. In 2026 recruiting all the top EBs and BBs only took people with previous FT offers in hand.
one step at a time son
Incoming SA here - how do I get the return? What should I be doing now?
Basically two or three buckets that actually matter.
1. How quick do you learn (which is a function of your intelligence / desire / curiousity about the job)
2. Are you a cultural fit (do you moan when you get extra work or work long hours, do you actually like the sector/job or see it as stepping stone, how do you connect with the rest of the team)
3. Are you good at the work (do you understand the fundamentals of modelling/accounting, do you have attention to detail, how quick are you)
Pre-desk you can basically only train (3), but (3) IMO is the least important. If you love this shit and want to grind, how much you know now before you hit the desk doesn't matter, but your ability to learn quickly, be positive and fit with the team. That can only be measured once you hit the desk. Are you good at the work doesn't matter because we are here to train you. You will learn everything on the desk, but you can only do that if you have the right attitude/hunger and you actually have sufficient intelligence and work ethic
Pre-desk basically just learn fundamentals of the job, practice PPT/excel, read up on the sector so you are not confused on the terminology in a CIM.
What I tell students to do now is:
- Take a firm in your sector and read their annual report / investment presentation (lets say im in Energy and I read on Shell)
- annotate as you go along with questions, bits that you don't know, what you like about the firm or link to another firm
- upload the annotated 10k into Claude and ask it for a socratic session testing you on the material, answering your questions on various parts
- Do this enough and build pattern recognition on what matters in your sector and you won't be confused as fuck when we ask you to turn comments on a CIM of an oil major etc.
Obviously but I think OP is asking how much preparatory work must be done to have a fighting chance once said FT offer is secured.
After having a return offer from GS/MS/JPM. I was basically fast tracked to every single final rd AC at EBs like CVP/EVR/PJT. The prepatory work only comes down to knowing your technicals cold and also being a cultural fit for the team. I think if you have an offer already they already have a signal that you are competent and verified by other firms.
More interested in why a kid would leave the firm the have with all the relationships they built and goodwill to hop to another firm. Don't want to be seen as a clout/money grubber.
Even had MDs straight out ask me "why are you here" within 10s of interviews
This is not true, e.g. Evercore London took people with no return offers this year for grad
This is categorically false.
Having a return offer from a decent bank was a prerequisite for the AC.
People would be asked in first rounds if they had a return and it was a quick rejection / no consideration for AC after that.
Don’t want to hi Jack this thread-
Would you choose Evercore over Citi/BofA/ Barclays / JPM/MS
Entirely group dependent and depends on what you want in the future. Broad generalisations don't work in this example.
Some people might hate their coverage / dislike the team they got FT offer for and that's why they want to switch.
But as a general rule if you were in a top 3 group at MS or JPM, you wouldn't switch over. Diff story if you in FIG/NatRes and you want to do Buyout PE
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